Name: Patricia Daniele S.

Lucas
Section: 5Che-A

CASE STUDY: BROKEN FAMILY/ UNPLANNED CHILD

I. INTRODUCTION

The respondent is the eldest son among his family. He is a college graduate of University of
the Philippines with a degree of BS electrical engineering. His family is composed of 3 siblings
coming from one different mother or father. Since then he was used to experiencing incomplete
family gathering whenever special occasion would occur.

The reason why I chose this client is because somehow, this is one of common challenges being
experienced of Filipino families in the generation. Some may not be separated but broken
emotionally or physically.

II. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

The aim of this study is to know the struggle of a kid from a broken family who strengthens
himself as he grows and matures in his life. It attempts to answer the following questions.

1. The client may be described in terms of the following factors

1.1 age
1.2 gender
1.3 education
1.4 relationship status
2. What are the reasons that led him to his current situation?
3. Is he happy with all the happenings occurring in his family?

III. BRIEF HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

Joshua is the first born son of his family, he is 21 years old and college graduate of the
University of the Philippines in BS electrical engineering. He is a result of an unplanned
pregnancy. His father is a mentor training trainees at a company, while his mother a trainee. At a
young age, he was constantly reminded of what life could have been for his parents if he wasn’t
born. This is the reason he is forced to be understanding and mature at a young age. Blaming
himself for what happened, his parents could have better lives compared to today. They could
have married the love of their lives, and had a family people will be jealous about. One with a
great foundation. Being the eldest, and now his parents have different families. He now has two
families, but neither was his. He had to be strong even if he was alone. Though his parents never
stopped supporting him, he still felt as if he never had somebody. Even though he's been through
that, he is still grateful for what he had. He understood his parents, he considered them humans,
allowed to love who they love, and even makes mistakes. He conquered the situation by
promising to himself that his children, if he gets some, will not go through what he went through.
He will not let his future spouse cry, like his mother did before. And be the man his father
wasn’t, and how his mother raised him.

The issue roaming around his family was that my parents weren't really a couple when they got
married. They decided to get married when his mother was pregnant with him, the eldest son.
That alone was the foundation of the whole marriage. And it wasn't a really good foundation. It
came with problems, and it was really tested. And as expected it failed not many years past.

The main reason that the client said that led him to his current situation is the bad foundation that
is built for his family. His parents both had other relationships with others. But he can’t blame
either of them. He believes that marriage is a heavy thing that one should deal with the one you
truly love. He said his parents are humans also, allowed to love who they want to love, and make
mistakes. The client's parents didn’t leave their responsibilities with their kids and he is thankful
for that. The respondent understands his parents; he won’t force his family back together because
he wants his parents to live a happy life too.

Joshua was not truly happy but he understands the reasons for his parents' actions. In his opinion,
that’s the best task that he can do. Rather than force them together to form his family back, he
rather chooses to see them and his other siblings to be happy on their own family. Even if it
means he'll be left behind. He conquered this situation by being understanding and mature mind
on a young age that didn't hinder him from acting like a child when he was young, but he knew
within the family he had to be mature and reminded himself that he wouldn't be in that situation
in the future because when he saw my mother cry, that’s when he promised himself that when it
comes to the time he gets a chance to start his own family, he won't let his wife cry. He wouldn't
be the reason for his pain, instead be there for her. That’s the way his mother raised him, and
that’s the way he'll be in the future.

IV. PERSONAL REALIZATIONS

I’ve realized that at some point that I must learn to value my family more especially at difficult
times. In addition, I realized that I am blessed in what I have today in my family and thankful for
them supporting all throughout my growth. But at some point in our life, we experience family
problems that one cannot unsolved and the answer we are searching are sometimes yet hidden or
obvious to the eye but difficult to follow. This why I admire Joshua because he was not greedy
or bitter in what the past experiences he had with his family. He continues to love, understand
and support his family separately even though it was his hardest task as an eldest son. Joshua
loves his family not only by supporting or accepting his parent’s decision but also by loving his
step siblings whole heartedly. Lastly, I learned through Joshua that family may be broken but
could be whole as long as you see the rainbow in every dark side. One could live strongly and
happily once you start seeing these challenges as driving force for you to love harder or be the
better person as you can be.

V. TEACHINGS OF THE CHURCH

 Bible Verses about Family Unity

 “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that
the Lord your God is giving you.” – Exodus 20:12

 “Bear with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgive each
other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.” – Colossians 3:13

 Bible Verses About Family Love

 “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up
for her.” – Ephesians 5:25

 “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It
does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no
record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It
always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres. Love never
fails.” – 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

VI. RECOMMENDATION AND CHRISTIAN APPLICATION

As the church values family, we must learn to be cautious in what decisions we made.
Marriage is not only a commitment but a responsibility for both parents to sustain the needs
of the children and keep their family strong and firm. One must also consider the possible
challenges that couple may face after marriage and family planning. Lastly, a common
advice to build a strong, happy family, “a family that goes to church together stays together”.